Chinese authorities call Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint applications malware

Today, a notice was published on the website of the Ministry of Industry and Informatization of the PRC, listing applications that violate the interests and rights of users. Among them were the popular Microsoft office programs.
 
Judging by the text of the report, 83 applications that illegally collect personal information about users, interfere with work, often interfere with activities or mislead users are subject to “cleaning” of malicious functions.
 
Even programs such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and many local developments popular in China have fallen out of favor. It is mentioned that Microsoft software is seen in “forced, frequent and excessive requests” for certain permissions.
 
It is known that recently, the Chinese ministry specifically hired a third-party agency to test popular applications that could potentially violate users’ rights. We are talking not only about office programs, but also tools for training, travel, job search and other tasks.
 
According to the ministry, these applications must correct the identified shortcomings by June 16. Otherwise, Chinese officials reserve the right to take restrictive measures against them “in accordance with the law”.

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